Honorable Deceits
J.A. Schappals
Type: Beta project
Genre: Historical fiction
Word count: 193,000
Warnings: Graphic violence, swearing
When a suspicious fire destroys his home near Boston, clever smuggler Philip Moore flees to the dangerous New England frontier during the French and Indian War. He expects Indians and warfare. Instead, he’s trapped in a morass of treason, betrayal, blackmail and savagery, forcing him to choose which innocents must die and what price must be paid to stay alive. Please note: this book is over 180,000 words, so you will have four weeks to complete it, and the bonus will be £20.
It’s 1756. The French and Indian War rages along the New England frontier. After a suspicious fire destroys the Newbury, Massachusetts home of clever, illegitimate Philip Moore, a daytime blacksmith and nighttime smuggler, he flees to a new life on the perilous New Hampshire frontier. The dream shatters when benefactor Ruben proves himself a blackmailing French spy.
Either Philip courier British military strategies through dangerous wilderness to meet with the French or Ruben will kill him and several innocents. Philip pretends to partner with Ruben and negotiates large blood-money profits. But Ruben will retire soon, and Philip knows too much to stay alive. With a reward on his head, guilt ridden Philip plots an escape but becomes smitten with Sara, a widow betrothed to Philip’s friend and former Indian adoptee, Matthew. Passions explode. The lines between duty and betrayal, cowardice and courage, savagery and compassion blur and Philip must decide whose lives are worth saving.
After a busy career as a corporate lawyer in southern California, I moved with my family to rural New Hampshire and became smitten with its fascinating history and the forgotten drama of the French and Indian War. A closet writer, I endeavored to capture some of the passions and trials of that era in a story.
Registration closed early due to high demand.
Only beta team members can give feedback.